Monica Rodriguez

Monica Rodriguez is an American politician in California. She currently serves as a Los Angeles City Councilmember, and represents the 7th district. The district is located in the San Fernando Valley, and includes the neighborhoods of Pacoima, Sunland-Tujunga, Sylmar, Shadow Hills, Sun Valley, Lake View Terrace, and Mission Hills. Rodriguez was sworn in on July 1, 2017.

For the Mexican footballer, see Mónica Rodríguez.
Monica Rodriguez
Member of the Los Angeles City Council from the 7th District
Assumed office
July 1, 2017
Preceded byFelipe Fuentes
Personal details
BornLos Angeles, California, US
Political partyDemocratic
ResidenceLos Angeles, California, US
Alma materOccidental College

Professional career

Prior to her election to the Los Angeles City Council, Rodriguez served as Vice President the Los Angeles Board of Public Works, overseeing essential city services. She was appointed by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti to the Board in 2013. As Vice President, she partnered with the private sector to start a rain barrel program and spearheaded an upgrade to the city’s contracting website so that it was easier to use, especially for small-, minority- and women-owned businesses that have a harder time navigating the city’s contracting process. She also started a small-business academy to help less-advantaged businesses gain a leg up.[1]

Rodriguez previously served as a Community Affairs Manager for Mayor Richard Riordan and as an aide to Los Angeles City Councilmembers Mike Hernandez and Richard Alarcon. She also served as a Chief Deputy to Los Angeles Unified School Boardmember Caprice Young and as an executive in the California Realtors Association.

Political history

2007 City Council campaign

Rodriguez first ran for City Council in 2007, to replace former Councilmember Alex Padilla, who had recently been elected to the California State Senate. Though he had been elected to the State Assembly less than four months prior, former Councilmember Richard Alarcon successfully reclaimed his old City Council seat, defeating Rodriguez and avoiding a runoff.[2] In 2010, Alarcon was indicted on perjury and voter fraud charges for not living in his district and lying in campaign disclosure documents about his official residence. He was eventually convicted of three counts of voter fraud and one count of perjury.[3]

2017 City Council campaign

On May 16, 2017, Rodriguez was elected to represent the 7th District in the Los Angeles City Council, in a special election to fill the vacancy created when Councilmember Felipe Fuentes resigned to become a registered lobbyist.[4] During the campaign Rodriguez received the endorsements of Mayor Eric Garcetti,[5] the Los Angeles Times,[6] and the Los Angeles County Democratic Party. She defeated Karo Torrossian, an aide to City Councilmember Paul Krekorian by over 1,300 votes.[7]

After being sworn in in July 2017, Rodriguez joined Councilmember Nury Martinez as the only women on the Los Angeles City Council.[8]

Personal life

Rodriguez lives in the Mission Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles with her husband Raul, a car salesman and their two children.[9] She received her undergraduate degree from Occidental College.[10]

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References
  1. "ELECTION 2017: Monica Rodriguez stayed in northeast LA, now she wants to lead it". Retrieved 2017-05-24.
  2. Hymon, Steve (2007-03-07). "At least six incumbents win reelection to L.A. City Council". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 2017-05-24.
  3. Karlamangla, Soumya; Zahniser, David (2014-07-23). "Guilty verdicts another blow to Alarcon family". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 2017-05-24.
  4. "L.A. Councilman Felipe Fuentes plans to step down early to become a lobbyist". Los Angeles Times. 2016-08-14. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 2017-05-24.
  5. "Mayor Garcetti backs Monica Rodriguez in crowded Pacoima-area LA City Council race". Retrieved 2017-05-24.
  6. "A persistent and effective advocate, Monica Rodriguez for Council District 7". Los Angeles Times. 2017-04-21. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 2017-05-24.
  7. "Election Night Results". cityclerk.lacity.org. Retrieved 2017-05-26.
  8. Agrawal, Nina (2017-05-17). "Monica Rodriguez's election triumph means there will be two women on L.A. City Council". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 2017-05-23.
  9. "ELECTION 2017: Monica Rodriguez stayed in northeast LA, now she wants to lead it". Retrieved 2017-05-24.
  10. "Full Biography for Monica Rodriguez". www.smartvoter.org. Retrieved 2017-05-23.
Preceded by
Felipe Fuentes		 Los Angeles City Councilmember,
7th district
July 1, 2017 – present		 Succeeded by
Incumbent
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